Kinesin family member 11 messenger RNA (KIF11 mRNA) (KIF11 mRNA)

Kinesin family member 11 (KIF11) messenger RNA, also known as KSP mRNA, encodes a kinesin-5 motor protein that is critical for the formation of the bipolar mitotic spindle during cell division (UniProt P14136). The KSP protein facilitates the separation of centrosomes; its absence or depletion causes mitotic arrest with a characteristic monoastral spindle, eventually leading to programmed cell death (PubMed: 23558954). While small molecule inhibitors target the KSP protein directly, KSP mRNA is the specific target of RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics like ALN-VSP (Alnylam Pharmaceuticals). These drugs utilize small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to trigger the degradation of KSP mRNA via the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), thereby preventing the synthesis of the KSP protein (PubMed: 23558954). This approach is primarily investigated for the treatment of various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma and other solid tumors, where rapid cell proliferation is a hallmark (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00882180). Therapeutic challenges include the delivery of the RNA molecules to target tissues and potential systemic toxicities such as neutropenia (PubMed: 23558954).

Other names

KSP mRNAEg5 mRNAKinesin-5 mRNAKinesin spindle protein mRNAKIF11 transcript

RNA interference (RNAi) leading to sequence-specific mRNA degradation and inhibition of protein translation.